Initiative for Native Nation Relations
Document Type
Paper
Publication Date
Spring 2023
Disciplines
Native American Studies | Public Health
Abstract
Our project compared Tribal and First Nation casinos’ responses to the first wave of COVID-19 to their neighboring provincial and state governments. We evaluated whether Tribal and First Nation casinos closed earlier, at the same time as, or after their neighboring provincial and state governments issued orders closing bars and restaurants. We also evaluated whether Tribal and First Nation casinos reopened earlier, at the same time as, or after neighboring provincial and state governments began lifting restrictions on bars and restaurants. We found that in the United States, the median Tribal casino closure date was 1 day before the surrounding state closed bars and restaurants and the median Tribal casino reopening date was 21 days after the surrounding state allowed partial bar and restaurant reopenings. In Canada, the median First Nation casino closure date was 3 days before the surrounding province ordered business closures and the median reopening date was 27 days after the surrounding province allowed partial business reopenings.
Recommended Citation
Gordon, Theodor P and Supan, Savannah (2023). Closing Casinos during COVID-19’s First Wave: Comparing Tribal and First Nation Pandemic Responses to State and Provincial Executive Orders. Occasional Paper Series, Initiative for Native Nation Relations, Paper 2, Spring 2023.